Dome Bumps

Here is another detail from the screen used R2D2. The builders club refers to them as Dome Bumps.

Here is a closer view

So to copy this detail, I picked up some furniture foot pads from my local hardware store.

Sand the feet covers lightly to rough them up, and then paint them with the same blue paint as the rest of your trim.

Once they are dry pop them in the holes from the inside, and use a little hot glue to keep them in place.

HERE IS THE END RESULT

Clear Coat

Now is the easiest part of the work so far. Now is the time to clear coat your dome to protect it. I know what you're thinking, why clear coat it now, when I'll still have pieces to attach? You want to do this to protect it in the mean time. If you have other pieces already available, then by all means, attach them. I personally have to wait for a few more pieces in the mail, so I want to protect my paint until them come.

I used a Rustoleum Clear Coat Lacquer Spray Can for this. Make sure you spray it evenly around the entire dome.

I personally like this spray because it gave no drips, and I literally bathed this dome in the spray. Hold the can about 6 inches from the dome, shake the can while spraying, and move around. I know the can says hold 10-12 inches from the item, but not if you want it this shiny

I actually had to step back when I took the pictures because I was getting a big glare. I checked it about 4 hours later, and it was still brillantly glossy.

Dome Top

If you look at pictures from the original screen used R2D2 you will see some detail piece on the very top of the dome.

To recreate this I simply went to my local hardware store, and picked up a "Bi-Fold Door Control." This is just a round piece that would slide onto a rod, that also comes in the kit. Toss the rod to the side, who knows you may need it for something later. I then used super glue and glued in a furniture tack into the center. I cut out a small hole in the top of the dome, and glued in the piece in the center of the round blue trim piece.

Your finished results will vary depending on what materials you use, but this is about the look you're going for. Also you want to make sure to use light weight materials, and something that will take glue well. You want to avoid anything that you would have to use excessive amounts of glue on.

Attaching Panel Pieces

Ok, so you're finally making good progress. Hopefully you'll have the good luck that I did, and everything kind of falls into place after a while.

I simply used super glue around all the edges and placed the pieces into their spots. You don't have much time to work, but they fit easily so you shouldn't have a problem. REMEMBER - There is supposed to be a gap around all the pieces so make sure that you center them into each opening, hold for a few seconds, and BOOM your ready to move onto the next piece.

Before gluing all the pieces, the areas that you have to cut out holes, hold those pieces up to the area to be cut, trace with a pencil, set the piece asside, and then cut.

Cut the opening slightly larger than the hole on the trim piece, DON'T WORRY, Your trim piece will cover it, but you don't want to risk the inner dome showing through the hole and trim piece.

Finally glue in the remaining trim pieces for your finished look.

Sanding and Painting

Once everything is dry, slowly sand all white areas until you have the desired effect. I just worked my way around the dome removing excess compound so that my pieces that I would have to glue in later would sit flush.

Slowly work your way around the dome getting into all the little areas. I used a small folded piece of fine grit sand paper, and also an emery board like the ones used to file your nails down. I also taped off the blue ring, again with masking tape, and repainted the dome the silver color when I was finished.

Filling the Imperfections

This is when you may be sitting back after attaching the inner dome to the outer dome, and start getting upset because it still has little gaps and imperfections all over. DON'T WORRY!!!!

Some people use silcone, I prefer drywall compound, not only because I had it on hand and didn't have to make yet another trip to the store, but also because it dries fast, sands easy, and cleans up quick.

Use your finger and just push the compound into every crack or seperation that you see. I also used this around the bottom where the dome meets the tray. I also prefer the kind that starts off pink and turns white when dry. This helps you see where you have filled, and what needs to be filled. There is also no mistaking when it's ready to be sanded. Just be patient, remember you want this to look good.

Attaching the Dome Tray to the Dome

As you can see by the pictures you first tape the tray to the dome, I suggest masking tape as it peels off easily and leaves no residue. 

Here you can see from the inside where the tray sits on the dome, and the little bits of light shining through. This is the area that you would glue.

This is where it becomes tricky, and you have to go slow. I literally had to stick my head and my arm inside the dome. I spun the dome as a worked in the hot glue to make sure that I got everything covered. (Noting like having your head up an Astromechs dome!)

Attaching the Inner Dome to the Outer Dome

So here we are on day two. I needed a little help getting the inner dome and outer dome to come together, but after a little help from a friend, I learned a new trick. Here are the pictures he sent me. You actually want to cut the top off of the inner dome, attach the top portion first, then attach the lower portion. This allows for better allignment. DON'T WORRY, you won't be able to tell from the outside. As you can see, the seams don't line up on the inside of the dome, but it's not an issue, so please don't start to worry.